“Only till to-morrow,” said Forester.
“Another stage will come along to-morrow.
We can stop just as well as not, as we are in no haste
to get home. Besides, I should like to have you
see something of the operations of a great grass farm.”

Marco and Forester went into the house, and were ushered
into a large room, which seemed to be both sitting-room
and kitchen. A large round table was set in the
middle of the floor, for supper. A monstrous dog
was lying under it, with his chin resting upon his
paws. There was a great settle in one corner,
by the side of the fire. There were chairs also,
with straight backs and seats of basket-work, a spinning-wheel,
an open cupboard, and various other similar objects,
which, being so different from the articles of furniture
which Marco had been accustomed to see in the New
York parlors, attracted his attention very strongly.
Marco went and took his seat upon the settle, and the
dog rose and came to him. The dog gazed into his
face with an earnest look of inquiry, which plainly
said, “Who are you?” while Marco patted
him on the head, thereby answering as plainly, “A
friend.” The dog, perfectly understanding
the answer, seemed satisfied, and, turning away, went
back to his place again under the table.

[Illustration: Whoareyou?]

One of the farmer’s young men carried the trunks
into a little bed-room, which opened from the great
room; and then the farmer sat down and began to enter
into conversation with Forester and Marco about their
accident. Forester told him also about the sailor,
who had tumbled off the coach a mile or two back,
and been left behind. Forester said that he should
like to know whether he was hurt much. Then the
farmer said that he would let him take a horse and
wagon the next morning and ride back and inquire.
This plan was therefore agreed upon. Marco and
Forester ate a good supper with the farmer’s
family, and then spent the evening in talking, and
telling stories about horses, and sagacious dogs,
and about catching wild animals in the woods with
traps. About nine o’clock the family all
assembled for evening prayers. After prayers
Marco and Forester went to bed in their little bed-room,
where they slept soundly till morning.

In the morning they were both awakened by the crowing
of the cocks, at an early hour. They also heard
movements in the house and in the yard before sunrise;
so they arose and dressed themselves, and after attending
to their morning devotions together in their room,
a duty which Forester never omitted, they went out.
Marco was very much interested in the morning occupations
of the farm. There was the milking of the cows,
and the feeding of the various animals, and the pitching
off a load of corn, which had been got in the evening
before and allowed to stand on the cart, on the barn-floor,
over night. The cows were then to be driven to